Indian Geography: El-Nino and La-Nina | What is El Nino and La Nina | Smart Revision | UPSC | CSE

Summary

The video discusses the recent notification by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warning Indian farmers about reduced rainfall due to the El Niño oscillation in the Pacific Ocean. It explains how El Niño disrupts normal weather patterns, weakens Indian monsoons, and impacts agriculture. Historical data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) shows significant drought conditions during past El Niño events. The video also touches on La Niña, which strengthens monsoons and increases rainfall. Both phenomena have considerable effects on India's climate, agriculture, economy, and biodiversity, influencing productivity and forest fires.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned Indian farmers to prepare for droughts caused by the upcoming El Niño event.
• 🌊 El Niño is associated with a weather phenomenon known as the Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean, which can significantly impact the Indian monsoon.
• 🌧️ In the past 123 years, India has faced 22 droughts, 16 of which were linked to a weak or delayed monsoon.
• 🌡️ El Niño events can reverse the normal weather patterns, causing low pressure in the eastern Pacific and high pressure in the western Pacific, affecting rainfall.
• 🌦️ During El Niño, the western Pacific experiences less rainfall, leading to drought-like conditions in India and other regions.
• 🌍 The El Niño cycle is irregular, occurring roughly every two to seven years, and its impact on weather patterns is complex.
• 🌿 El Niño can lead to a significant increase in forest fires in India due to delayed monsoon rains.
• 🌾 A positive impact of the Indian monsoon is increased agricultural productivity, which can boost the green cover and livestock sector.
• 💧 Hydroelectric power generation can also benefit from good monsoon rains.
• 🌟 Considering all factors, El Niño can create both favorable and challenging conditions for India's agricultural sector, economic growth, and environment.

Q & A

What did the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) notify Indian farmers about?

The WMO notified Indian farmers to be prepared for distress due to a predicted El Niño event, which is expected to cause droughts.

What is an El Niño event and how does it impact the Indian subcontinent?

An El Niño event refers to a climate phenomenon characterized by an abnormal warming of the sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which significantly impacts the Indian monsoon, potentially leading to droughts.

How does the Pacific Oscillation affect the Indian monsoon and rainfall?

The Pacific Oscillation influences the Indian monsoon by altering wind patterns and sea surface temperatures. During an El Niño event, these changes can lead to reduced rainfall and drought conditions in the Indian subcontinent.

What is the normal process of the Pacific trade winds and how does it affect the Indian subcontinent?

Under normal conditions, the trade winds in the Pacific Ocean blow from east to west, pushing warm water towards Australia and Asia, creating low pressure and resulting in good rainfall in the western Pacific region. This process also influences the Indian monsoon, contributing to rainfall in the Indian subcontinent.

What happens to the Pacific trade winds and sea surface temperatures during an El Niño event?

During an El Niño event, the trade winds weaken, and the warm water that usually travels westward starts flowing back towards the east. This results in high pressure in the eastern Pacific and low pressure in the western Pacific, leading to reduced rainfall in the western Pacific region.

How does the El Niño phenomenon impact the Peruvian fisheries sector?

El Niño events can cause significant damage to the Peruvian fisheries sector by disrupting the normal process of upwelling, which is crucial for the abundance of fish in the region.

What is the impact of El Niño on the Indian agriculture sector?

El Niño can lead to drought-like conditions in India, affecting the agriculture sector negatively. This can result in reduced crop yields and increased incidents of forest fires, impacting the economy and employment in the sector.

How does the Indian monsoon affect the Indian agriculture sector?

The Indian monsoon plays a critical role in the agriculture sector by providing the necessary rainfall for crops. Delays or deficiencies in the monsoon can lead to droughts, affecting crop productivity and the livelihoods of farmers.

What are the economic implications of El Niño for India?

El Niño can have economic implications for India by affecting the agriculture sector, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy. Reduced agricultural productivity can lead to increased food prices and potential job losses.

How does El Niño affect the health sector in the Indian subcontinent?

El Niño can indirectly affect the health sector by exacerbating drought conditions, which can lead to water scarcity, increased risk of vector-borne diseases, and other health-related issues.

What measures can Indian farmers take to mitigate the impact of El Niño?

Indian farmers can prepare for the impact of El Niño by adopting drought-resistant crop varieties, improving water management practices, and diversifying their farming activities to reduce the risk associated with reduced rainfall.